THE CHANNEL.

West Coast Times, Issue 971, 2 November 1868, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE CHANNEL.

During the time things were in this position on the quay, the Channel Committee were busily engaged in cutting a grip through the Spit, the water having reached to within a foot of the crown. With the assistance of thirty labourers the work was commenced, and in less than half-au-hour the pent-up stream found egress to the sea — at first iii a" tiny ripple, but increasing gradually but steadily; The water at last took a determined hold of the bank, cutting away the edges in huge slices, and that which had cost the Channel Committee clays of anxiety was accomplished in a few hours. So great was the body of water which had been forcedback by the high westerly sea that some time elapsed before even' the slightest decrease Was perceptible in the river. But as the flood gradually gathered more strength the rush of water to the sea was perfectly terrific — boiling and seething', it rushed on to the sea, removing in its course hundreds of tons of sand, and in about two hours from the time of the cutting being commenced, a channel from seventy to one hundred yards was formed. As the sea fell with the ebb tide, the decrease of the river's volume became more apparent, as also the gradual deepening of the channel. During the whole forenoon the torrent poured out between the recently formed spits with unabated rapidity, and at one time early in the forenoon a depth of from seven to eight feet was found at the entrance. After that time no soundings could be taken, it being quite an impossibility to approach within several hundred yards of the channel, so mill-race like was the pace at which the waters poured out to the sea. A channel having been thus easily procured, the next object of the committee was to get the log crate safely into position, between thy end of the sandbag dam and the spit. This matter, lioavever, was left, after due consideration, till the commencement of the flood tide in the afternoon, as the salt and fresh water would at that time by opposing each other, cause a slackness in the stream. Accordingly, during the morning, the lighters filled with sand bags were brought down the river and firmly lashed to the crate All arrangements being completed, the steam-tug Lioness, which had been placed at the service of the committee, took the unwieldy looking superstructure in tow, and with the aid thus rendered it was soon placed opposite the gap it was intended to fill up. Here hundreds of willing hands seized on the ropes which were attatched to the floating mass, and it was speedily hauled into position. The effect -of this Avas at once seen hy an increased volume of water forcing itself between the Spit, fairly fording back the angry Toilers which were sent home. But although by this time the great body of water had been drained from the streets in the immediate vicinity of the river, yet 'a large quantity of it from the low-lying parts of the town continued to drain into the sewers, which still continued to pour down to the river, in keeping up a plentiful supply to beat back the sea, until the tide had risen far above the fresh water level.

(From the West Coast Times and Observer, October 16.) We hardly expected, now that such a fine outlet exists for the waters of the river, to have so soon to chronicle another flood, which, although not of such magnitude as that which took place on Friday last, has heen nevertheless productive of serious inconvenience to many of the inhabitants, and will, we fear, cause considerable damage to property.

Throughout the A\ r hole of yesterday the rain fell in ceaseless torrents, but this did not occasion alarm, as it Avas Avell knoAvn that the south channel had freely opened. So deep and Avide Avas the channel, that it Avas fully expected it Avould carry off almost any fresh Avhich might come doAvn the river. As night approached, the river, hoAvever, had greatly increased in A'oluine, and a A r ast quantity of turbid Avater Avas rushing oinvard to the sea. The Avind, too, blew strongly, raising a heavy Avcsterly sea, Avhich swept in huge Avaves for some distance up the riser's mouth, backing up the waters, and causing them to rise still higher. This Ava"s about five o'clock, and then the Avater Avas some distance from the planking of the Avharf. Six andseA-en o'clock passed, and the night had then fairly set in — and Avhat a night it W!IS — dark, pitchy dark — Avith the Avind tearing along in furious gusts, and the rain faliing not in drop?, but literally in sheets. The river kept rising higher and higher, and before nine o'clock it had overfloAved its banks, and Gibson's Quay was soon covered to some depth. It Avas high Avater at half-past nine o'clock, and a spring tide, consequently the enormous pressure of the sea upon the sAA'ollen river caused the Avater to rise faster and faster — Taucredstveet was soon overfloAved, the water entering the dwellings on both sddes of the street, and causing the inhabitants hastily to fly for their lives. Sewell street Avas a broad and deep stream, the waters rising high up the verandah in front of the Post Office, andenteriug the Government ReHamilton street and the Camp Reserve were deeply flooded, and the Avaters flowed some distance up Camp street. Weld street, from near the White House Hotel to past Fitzherbert street, presented the appearance of a broad and rapid river, and at half-past ten o'clock the West Coast Timks Office was completely surrounded. Boats, too, were plying in the streets, rescuing those inhabitants Avho had not as yet left their dwellings, and conveying them to places of safety. Shortly before eleven o'clook the flood Avas at its height, and the rain had ceased, although the night Avas still _ vciy dark, and the Avind blew with great' violence. About half-past eleA*en o'clock the flood began slowly to subside, and by three o'clock this morning the streets Avere once niore. passable.